Grading Your Coin Depending On Its Conservation Quality

Welcome to CoinCollectionMarket!
In this page we show you the system we use to grade the coins based on its conservation quality.

Coin Grades

In an effort to make things easy we have developed a simple but strong grading system. It is based
in the European grading systems and you can see the match to them in the table bellow. We know that
this is a very small subset of how coins can be graded, if you feel like you need to specify more the
grade of your coin, you can always do so in the comment field. These are the coin gradings we use:

Proof (P)
Early samples of a coin issue, historically made for checking the dies and for archival purposes,
but nowadays often struck in greater numbers specially for coin collectors (numismatists).
Preparation of a proof striking usually involved polishing of the dies. They can usually be
distinguished from normal circulation coins by their sharper rims and design, as well as much
smoother "fields" . They are usually issued directly from the Mint.

Brilliant Uncirculated (BU)
Perfect new condition, showing no trace of wear. The finest quality possible, with no evidence of
scratches, handling or contact with other coins. Very few regular issue coins are ever found in
this condition. Usually they need special handling from the Mint.

Uncirculated (U)
Has no trace of wear but may show a number of contact marks, and surface may be spotted or lack
some luster.

About Uncirculated (AU)
Has traces of light wear on many of the high points. At least half of the Mint luster is still present.

Extra Fine (EF)
Design is lightly worn throughout, but all features are sharp and well defined. Traces of luster may show.

Very Fine (VF)
A moderate amount of wear is noticeable on the high points of the coin's design. All major details are clear.

Fine (F)
The coin shows moderate to considerable even wear throughout. Entire design is bold with an overall
pleasing appearance.

Very Good (VG)
Well worn with main features clear and bold although rather flat.

Good (G)
Heavily worn with the design visible but faint in areas. Many details are flat. The date may be
barely readable. Rare or valuable coins in this condition are often saved when no others are available.

Coin gradings comparative

Grading Systems

CoinsCollectionMarket

Design remaining

United Kingdom

France

Spain

Italy

Germany

Scandinavia

Netherlands

Portugal

USA

Good

10%

G

AB (Assez Beau)

RC

M

GE (Gut erhalten)

2

G (Goed)

REG

AG-3 to G-4

Very Good

25%

VG

B (Beau)

BC

B (Bello)

SGE (Sehr gut erhalten)

1-

ZG (Zeer Goed)

MREG

VG-8

Fine

50%

F

TB (Très Beau)

BC+

MB (Molto Bello)

S (Schön)

1

Fr (Fraai)

BC

F-12

Very Fine

75%

VF

TTB (Très Très Beau)

MBC

BB (Bellissimo)

SS (Sehr schön)

1+

ZF (Zeer Fraai)

MBC

VF-20 to 30

Extra Fine

90%

EF/XF

SUP (Superbe)

EBC

SPL (Splendido)

VZ (Vorzüglich)

01

Pr. (Prachtig)

Bela

EF-40 to 45

About Uncirculated

95% + some luster

UNC

No use

No use

No use

UNZ− (Fast unzirkuliert)

01/0

No use

No use

AU-50 to 55

Uncirculated

100% + luster

UNC

SPL (Splendide)

SC

SPL/FDC

UNZ (Unzirkuliert)

0

FDC (Fleur de Coin)

Soberba

MS-60 to 65

Brilliant Uncirculated

100% + full luster

FDC

FDC (Fleur de Coin)

FDC

FDC (Fior di Conio)

STGL (Stempelglanz)

0

FDC

FDC (Flor de Cunho)

MS-66 to 70

How to grade my coin

What you need
In order to perform a proper coin grading you need to have an good light source and an excellent
magnifier preferably something over 5x in order to see specific details.

First division
Determine if the coin has circulated or not. If the coin shows the slightest hints of wear then it
should be considered circulated. Otherwise it should be considered unciriculated.

Select the grading
You now know if its circulated or not then you should compare your coin to the scale shown above
to determine where it fits on the scale. For uncirculated coins only need to determine if it has
some lack of luster or it shows a small number of contact marks then it is Uncirculated, otherwise
it should be considered Brilliant Uncirculated. For the circulated coins check the descriptions above.
Just take into account that the damage is not proportional; in other words, the amount of detail
loss between Brilliant Uncirculated and Uncirculated is not the same as that which is lost between
Good and Very Good. In fact, the coin that grades Brilliant Uncirculated and Uncirculated has lost
none of its detail, but the coin that grades Good and Very has lost about 60%. Use the written descriptions
to place your coin as best you can. If you want more precise grading, you can contact with
professional coin grading companies.